|
|
|
|
Robert
Duncan to Nanaimo
Living Forest Campground Wednesday, June 15th 35 miles riding We left Duncan with nice weather, it was very pleasant for about 2 hours, but we did not have a place for the night, last night I had sent out a few request but no reply's yet. Every time we would stop for a rest or for lunch I would get on WS and send out a couple more requests. in the early afternoon we stopped in Chemainus, the town was having a small fair on a Wednesday, it was sort of a touristy town with many parked tourist buses letting out people to see the "world famous"murals.
There were well over 100 murals painted all over the small town on sides of buildings. We ended up having a very expensive lunch and finally walked around a bit waiting for the dark clouds to clear up as it was raining off and on. The concern of not having a place for the night turned into searching for camping; we were ready with our tent and sleeping bags. |
|
On the way to the Living Forest campground which was still 10 kilometers south of Nanaimo we first took the Cowichan Valley Trail which is part of the Trans Canada Trail System, then we tried taking a short cut to avoid heavy traffic by going on a small tunnel under the road, but after about 5 minutes the trail ended and it went into a secluded living area, we had to take the panniers off the bikes and I carried first the bikes then the panniers one at a time over the barrier all the while a dog kept barking at us. Then a couple pulled up in a truck and questioned us about being on their property, we had to explain how we got there after lots of smiling she finally got back in her truck and let us cross. ( Have you seen the movie deliverance?)
Finally reaching the campground we checked in and exchanged $40 Canadian and got a spot right by the water. We needed to exchange money because we needed loonies ( what Canadians call their one dollar coins (Well, we can ours bucks) to take a shower which was coin operated. I told Carmen to stick her finger in the slot, since she's a loonie. About 15 minutes after paying for the campsite I got an e-mail with a host for the night, too late but I thanked them and we stayed at a campground that we were thankful to be at because of its beauty. After setting up the tent and putting away our panniers we each took a shower, a loonie gave you a five minute shower. I am hurting on my calf and Carmen was very tired. We walked to the cafe after getting cleaned up, but it was closed, so we enjoyed the scenery and took a few pics of the setting sun. Now back at the tent, we enjoyed the last few minutes of the sun. When we showered we washed the clothing we were wearing and hung them up around the tent in hopes that they would be dry by morning. We both got good sleep but at times the gravel camping spot made it difficult to enjoy a position for too long.
Finally reaching the campground we checked in and exchanged $40 Canadian and got a spot right by the water. We needed to exchange money because we needed loonies ( what Canadians call their one dollar coins (Well, we can ours bucks) to take a shower which was coin operated. I told Carmen to stick her finger in the slot, since she's a loonie. About 15 minutes after paying for the campsite I got an e-mail with a host for the night, too late but I thanked them and we stayed at a campground that we were thankful to be at because of its beauty. After setting up the tent and putting away our panniers we each took a shower, a loonie gave you a five minute shower. I am hurting on my calf and Carmen was very tired. We walked to the cafe after getting cleaned up, but it was closed, so we enjoyed the scenery and took a few pics of the setting sun. Now back at the tent, we enjoyed the last few minutes of the sun. When we showered we washed the clothing we were wearing and hung them up around the tent in hopes that they would be dry by morning. We both got good sleep but at times the gravel camping spot made it difficult to enjoy a position for too long.
Carmen - When I woke up this morning - the first thing I did was look outside the window. WhatI saw was a giant maple leaf,! Today all will be beautiful is the feeling I get. I slowly get going....allowing my knees the time to adjust to movement. I hear Robert and the guys in the kitchen, our hostess was called in the middle of the night, she is a midwife. I sneak in and get a cup of coffee then walk out thru to the back patio, down the steps to see the "magical tent", which had been offered last night as a place to sleep if we wanted. Once I walk into the tent I see that it truly is a magical place! There is a bed, a place for fire with fire wood and lights hanging. I walk around their yard and take pictures of the front garden and then go to the tree that is outside the window and take a picture of the maple leaf I saw. After our coffee we pack up and say our goodbyes.
After visiting the Mural town, our ride included an area which we might have traveled thru by mistake....we traveled into a forest, that seemed like rainforest. It was a park, Stocking Creek CVRD Community Park located in the Cowichan Valley. The Cowichan Valley Trail also runs through the park. The peaceful green of different shades all around us was wonderful. There were some rough parts, where we had to be careful because of the moss and loose gravel. The sleeping area that for the night has a spectacular sight! I love sleeping under the stars! My body is tired, but I have to walk around and take pictures of "The Living Forest Campsite". It is what all campsites should be!
After visiting the Mural town, our ride included an area which we might have traveled thru by mistake....we traveled into a forest, that seemed like rainforest. It was a park, Stocking Creek CVRD Community Park located in the Cowichan Valley. The Cowichan Valley Trail also runs through the park. The peaceful green of different shades all around us was wonderful. There were some rough parts, where we had to be careful because of the moss and loose gravel. The sleeping area that for the night has a spectacular sight! I love sleeping under the stars! My body is tired, but I have to walk around and take pictures of "The Living Forest Campsite". It is what all campsites should be!